Understanding portfolios and CLEP

Hey all,

I've finally got a grip on the different schools available for what I need. Having no college background, and in view of my being 41 years old, I want to do a BA (ultimately a M.Div) strictly via DL, and I want to test out whatever I can--I DON'T want to start from scratch doing everything by "classroom", if I can help it. However, I'm lost in two areas: 1) in understanding what a portfolio is and if I will ever need it; and 2) how CLEPs comes into play (inside or outside of a portfolio), namely within utilizing the colleges TESC, Excelsior, and COSC.

I ultimately would like my BA from either Moody Bible College, Liberty University, Taylor University, or Northwestern (perhaps just the AA from them)--all being RA; however, TESC, Excelsior and COSC keep coming up regarding testing-out advantages. So, I need to know something about this. I don't want to end up testing-out to aquire even just an AA from TESC, Excelsior or COSC and not be able to transfer it to one of the colleges I've mentioned. This is getting scary, folks! More and more I read, one can really mess one's self up pretty nicely if precautions aren't taken. My legs are a tad wobbly here, so I need some help!

Oh, and I am now familiar with the book by Miller called "BA in 4 Weeks", and I just found out about the 2002 CLEP catalog. But is there any other information you folks can chime in with?

Thanks very much,

Starkman

 

Starkman,

Welcome to the wonderful world of DL !
I am being serious here as today you have more opportunity than ever before.

A couple of thoughts:

1. CLEP/DANTE/etc. "testing" are assessments that measure your ability to demonstrate knowledge that is equal to that you would have learned while sitting in a classroom. (as you can gather from reading the archives, lots of spirited debate on this). What such "testing" allows is for you to complete certain portions of your degree program at a faster pace. Example ? Not having to take 4 years of English ... However, if in any of these areas you have weaknesses, you may be better served in investing the time into yourself and attending class. Most RA schools will accept, with varying limitations, a certain number of hours of "credit by examination", say 12, or 24, or 32 hours. The reason the "big three" (TESC, etc.) are mentioned on a more frequent basis is their limits are much more generous. With some BA programs, you could "test out" of the entire degree.

2. Portfolio work ... Check out the archives on this forum, lots of good posts in the past. Let's say that you are a computer programmer, and have been for 20 years. There's probably one or more college classes taught by a RA school on this topic. What a portfolio does is allow you to "capture" and prepare a summary demonstrating you have acquired the equal amount of knowledge as you would have by attending a specifc class.

3. Understand that YOU drive your success. It's your responsibility to learn the rules of the road. From your post is sounds like you know that, and are seeking input from others. That's what I did also when I began to pursue my educational goals a few years ago. Stick with the known standards such as RA ... look carefully at the standards of the seminary that you choose. Sadly, there are too many "less than wonderful" religious schools out there.

4. If the MDiv. or similar is your goal ... Check with those schools and TODAY see what they require as to BA and major. For example, the Moody program will expect a great deal of undergraduate Bible study. Others may not. NOW, it the time to discover such specifics, and THEN plan out your BA academic plan to meet those standards. Key is to end up with degree that is RA, and allows you entry into the Masters program you desire. Having a BA from a RA school (and TESC, etc. are all RA) in the right background is the key.

Many others have accomplished what you desire. Complete your research, ask questions, make a plan ... and go for it !

Billy Cox

TESC; AA, BA
TUI; MBA, now a Ph.D student there.

[email protected]

 

Thanks Billy!

Hey, thanks a lot, Billy.
I greatly appreciate it!

Starkman

 

I think you need to decide why you really need a BA degree. If the M.Div. is your ultimate goal and you just need the BA as an "admission ticket", then a degree from TESC, COSC, or Excelsior is probably your best bet.

In addition to Lawrie Miller's excellent BA In 4 Weeks, I would highly recommend Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning, which has an excellent section on portfolio credit, as well as credit by exam (CLEP, DANTES, etc.).

Incidentally, there is an RA M.Div. program, totally non-residential, available through Southern Christian University.


Bruce

 

Re: the BA

Hey Bruce,

The reason I need the BA is, in fact, for getting into the M.Div program. I easily have a BA's worth in of Bible knowledge; however, I'd like to both round out my knowledge and get a degree to move on to the Masters for further research and learning. I have to be careful, though, as Billy noted, where I do the BA in that the M.Div is my real goal. I'm not sure if TESC, COSC or Excelsior affords the kind of (Biblical) class preperation in that they're not Christian colleges. Liberty U., Southern Christian U., and Moody surely would be so. Trying to sort all this out . . . sheesh! I tell ya!

Thanks for the info!

Keith

 

Re: Re: the BA

Hello Keith

Are you aware that seminaries accredited by ATS are allowed to enroll 10% of their students without the qualification of a BA? If you would like to explore this , I suggest you get on the Denver Seminary webpage where this exemption is explained.

You say the "MDiv" is your real goal. So the ministry is your "calling?"

That degree is a professional masters .The MA in Biblical studies or Theology, you think, is not suitable? What is your aspiration?

 

Re: Re: the BA

I don't know about Moody, but I'm fairly certain that Liberty and Southern Christian require just an accredited Bachelor's (any field) for admission to their M.Div. programs. They also offer the added benefit of "lesser" Master's degrees (MA in Religion at Liberty, MA in Biblical Studies at SCU) that you can acquire enroute to the M.Div. degree (all credits will transfer).


Bruce

 

Re: M.Div

Hey Bill,

I am definitely called to teach in ministry. I do not, however, believe--though, I could be wrong--that this will be in a professional capicity, but I'd like to be ready/qualified were that ever to be the case.

Heres the thing. I need to first round-out and sharpen up a bit my previous years of self-study (the BA degree would do this), and thus become prepared to do further research in my field of Biblical interests; a Masters degree, which HAS to include three things, should accomplish this: 1) training in academic research; 2) a supportive working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew; and 3) extensive exposure to scholarly thinking.

Perhaps the M.Div isn't needed for all of this--here's where my being green to the world of academe bites me in the butt! I am aware, however, of some seminaries admitting some students without the BA, even if it's only for a certificate program stating an equivalency of a Masters and not the degree itself. I've checked around with Wheaton, Gordon-Conwell, etc., but to no luck. So I will definitely look into Denver. Thanks for that info.

What I'm first concerned about, though, is rounding out my education before I hit the seminary. I have no idea what seminary is like; at what academic and theological level is one suppose to be upon entrance? Hence, my desire to try and cover those bases via the BA.

For instance, I lack knowledge in church history. Oh, I know names, but couldn't tell you what all they believed. Never interested me. I need to round out! I could do this myself, I suppose, but I'll first have to find out what the seminaries are wanting me to know before entering.

Well, thanks mucho, Bill,

Keith

 

Re: Re: Re: the BA

I think Bruce is correct and that a BA in a non religious field OR a religious one generally is all that is required as the MDiv prerequisite. Further , it is also accurate that certain MAs or parts of them would be applicable towards the MDiv. In my case, not only did Western count the MA from PL (actually then Pasadena) they also gave me some credit which they tapped from my unfinished EdD studies as fulfilling courses in Christian Ed. I am much in debt to Dr Rob Wiggins (registrar) and Prof Cook (then chair of ThM program).

 

Re: Masters

Bill,

Yeah, I'm beginning to think that the M.Div isn't what I need. The MA (looking at Denver Seminary's MA) is more along the lines, I believe, of what would be appropriate for me. Thanks for pointing that M.Div issue out to me!

Keith

 

Re: Re: M.Div